PROPERTY owners are being warned by industry experts in cyber security this Christmas, about the “hidden dangers” of having smart home devices in your home - such as the possibility of your high-tech gadgets being hacked by thieves.

Home security is something many of us are understandably conscious of. From locking your doors to lowering the appeal of a break-in by keeping expensive items away from your windows, there’s plenty of things people can do in order to reduce the risk of an intruder entering your home. However, a team of experts at an industry leading cyber security news outlet have now issued a concerning warning about how some homes could remain at risk. What’s more, some of the systems which are potentially of use to thieves, could have been voluntarily brought into the home by its resident.

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He said: “For homeowners, vulnerabilities increase with every smart home device that is purchased.

“For this reason, it is essential that consumers are aware of the need to update devices passwords and keep connected devices secure by downloading critical security updates.

“One of the best pieces of advice for homeowners is to seriously consider whether a smart device is actually needed. Sometimes old-fashioned might be better if the convenience provided doesn't seriously outweigh the potential security risks.”

Last year, the Mirror Online reported that the publication had found household devices could potentially provide a route for cyber criminals to access personal details - such as if the technology is set to default or has no password.